Physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and breakfast eating as factors influencing BMI in Saudi students, aged 10 to 15 years

BACKGROUND: Eating less and moving more are the simplest and most common strategies to combat excessive weight. Several other lifestyle factors can also contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. OBJECTIVES: The present study examined the effects of breakfast frequency, duration and quality of sleep, daily physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and school transportation on the BMI of Saudi students, aged 10–15 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 981 students (240 girls (24.46%) [66 children (27.5%) and 174 adolescents (72.5%)] and 741 boys (75.54%) [441 children (59.51%) and 300 adolescents (40.49%)]). For each participant, height, weight, and body composition were obtained using bioelectric impedance analysis. A questionnaire focussing on lifestyle behaviours over the last seven days was also completed by each student. Multiple comparisons were performed to test for significant differences between the groups, stratified by sex, age, and BMI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the variables that significantly affected BMI. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in boys was 12.82% and 25.1%, and in girls, 10.42% and 5.42%, respectively. Most participants used cars or buses as transportation to and from school (100% of girls and 83% of boys). Breakfast was skipped mainly by male participants. Boys tended to sleep more than girls during school days (488.90 ± 74.33 vs. 467.76 ± 78.75 min. night(−1)). They were more active (2.58 ± 0.69 vs. 2.34 ± 0.82), used laptops more frequently (2.46 ± 1.51 vs. 1.90 ± 1.63), and played more video games (3.12 ± 1.43 vs. 1.2875 ± 1.36) than girls. However, girls were less sedentary (2.63 ± 0.76 vs. 2.9±.79), watched more TV (3.65 ± 1.155 vs. 2.73 ± 1.48) and used their smartphones more (3.6625 ± 1.3 vs. 3.28 ± 1.44) than boys. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed significant associations between BMI and breakfast intake, physical activities, and sedentary behaviours. Of these, using laptops and playing video games were the key sedentary activities that influenced BMI. KEY MESSAGES: 1. A significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was noted among boys compared to girls in private school students, aged 10–15 years, in Al-Ahsa governorate, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. 2. Boys slept more than girls on school days, and they were more active, used laptops more frequently, and played more video games than girls. Girls were less sedentary, watched television more often, and used smartphones more frequently than boys. 3. Among private school students aged 10–15 years in Al-Ahsa governorate, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, BMI was significantly associated with breakfast intake frequency, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours, among which using laptops and playing video games were the sedentary activities that most influenced BMI.